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Why Man and Anteater are enemies

by Nicholas Anyuor

Long time ago, Man and Anteater were good neighbours. They did everything together. In those days, Anteater did not eat ants, claiming they were bitter, although he ate other insects and animals.

Man had built good house. Animals admired the house but did not know how to build one like it. They wished to live in such a house that was warm on cold nights and locked out thieves.

Man trusted Anteater because he killed animals such as rats that stole Man’s food.

The only insects Man could not control were ants. They sometimes invaded Man’s house and nibbled on the timber. Other times, they would camp on Man’s mud floor and build anthills. Some would bite Man. The ants’ behaviour annoyed Man. He asked Anteater why he did not eat ants to get rid of them.

"My friend, ants are very bitter and that is why even greedy Hyena does not eat them," Anteater replied.

One day, Man left Anteater to take care of his house. He had cooked delicious fish and set aside some for Anteater.

"Don’t eat my portion. It will be my supper tonight when I come home late," Man said.

That night, when Man got back, he realised all the food had been eaten and Anteater was missing.

Man headed to Anteater’s home where he found him snoring, his stomach full. He whipped him and frogmarched him to his home.

"Do you think I am joking with you? Today I must kill you. Our friendship is over. You are a traitor," Man shouted.

When they arrived, Man forced Anteater to eat all the ants in the house.

As Anteater ate the ants, he found they were not bitter after all. They were delicious. Seeing that Anteater was not being punished, Man left to fetch a panga, intending to kill Anteater.

But Anteater escaped before Man returned. From that day, Anteater hides from Man and enjoys eating ants.

Lesson: Be honest with your friends and do not betray them.

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